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Deadline Thursday for public input on quarry

By CARIE CANTERBURY canterburyc@ cañoncitydailyrecord.com

Posted:
11/05/2012 09:28:34 PM MST

The public has until Thursday to voice their concerns or offer input regarding the draft environmental assessment of an application to continue development of a privately-owned quarry onto 78.72 acres of BLM-managed surface and federal minerals in Fremont County.

According to a media release by the BLM Royal Gorge Field Office, the application was submitted by Tezak Heavy Equipment Company, Inc. (dba) T.H.E. Aggregate Source, of Cañon City.

"The proposed mining operations would mirror current activities on the privately-owned land and minerals. Should the BLM decide not to approve the application, mining will continue on the private mineral and surface estate adjacent to the BLM. If the RGFO approves the proposal, the BLM will hold a competitive mineral materials sale," the statement says. "The winning bidder will receive a contract to remove approximately 450,000 tons of rock annually for 10 years, with an option to renew the contract."

To view the BLM's draft EA, log on to: blm.gov/co/st/en/fo/rgfo.html and click on the top link in the "NEPA Projects" section. Those interested also may visit the BLM Royal Gorge Field Office at 3028 E. Main St.

Written comments must be received by Thursday and may be submitted via email to BLM_CO_RG_Comments@blm.gov with "Gravel Quarry EA" in the subject line.

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Comments may also be sent by mail to BLM Royal Gorge Field Office, Attn: "Gravel Quarry EA," 3028 East Main, Cañon City, CO 81212. Before including an address, phone number, email address or other personal identifying information in your comment, be aware that the entire comment -- including personal identifying information--may be made publicly available at any time.

"While you can ask us in your comment to withhold your personal identifying information from public review, we cannot guarantee that we will be able to do so," the statement says. "The results and any mitigation developed through the BLM's assessment will be forwarded to CDRMS and Fremont County for inclusion in their individual permitting processes. The current quarry produces construction-grade granite and limestone aggregate."

The rock is used throughout Colorado in construction projects such as stream bank protection, landscaping and asphalt and concrete products. In 2011, the Tezak Heavy Equipment Company employed 46 people in Fremont County, paying more than $2.3 million dollars in employee wages and $10,600 in county and city sales taxes. In 2011, mineral and energy development on public lands generated $4.9 billion dollars. More than 22,900 jobs in Colorado were tied to this industry.

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